These renowned filmmakers have reacted sharply to CBFC’s new commandment!

Kutta, along with saali, haraami, bastard and bitch and many such other words like these are not acceptable to the Central Board of Film Certification anymore. The CBFC has come up with a list of certain words in English and Hindi, which are deemed “offensive/objectionable”. Regional Officers have been directed to delete them from Hindi and regional films, irrespective of the certification. This new commandment, dispatched to all producers’ associations and censor notice boards, has obviously sent shockwaves through the industry.

Filmmakers like Mahesh Bhatt, Madhur Bhandarkar, Hansal Mehta, Pooja Bhatt and others have reacted to CBFC’s notice. Here’s what they have to say…

Mahesh Bhatt: The CBFC is free to do what it wishes, but there is no lock, no gate, no bolt that it can set upon the freedom of our minds. This is a battle which they will never win because this is India, not China or Saudi Arabia.

Pooja Bhatt: We must have the audacity to go to the Revising Committee or even the Supreme Court. Most people don’t have the grit to take on the system but I do.

Hansal Mehta: Dear Indian government, if you decide what I should make and what my characters can say, then, why don’t you also fund my films?

Madhur Bhandarkar: Language is one way of showing the contrast between a bad and a good guy and his transformation if it happens. It’s also a reflection of our society.

And here’s what the CBFC Chairperson, Pahlaj Nihalani, who’s at the centre of the storm has to say. “These are not my rules. I have merely listed the guidelines of the Board for new members and producers applying for certification. Earlier, people got away with a lot of objectionable stuff by bending these guidelines and we ended up with cases filed against these films after their release. We can’t allow that anymore.”

There were speculations in media that Anurag Kashyap might be asked to look for an alternate title. Read on to find out…

After the Central Board Of Film Certification (CBFC) beeped out the word ‘Bombay’ from a new song sung by Mihir Joshi, one wonders if filmmaker Anurag Kashyap will be asked to change the title of his film Bombay Velvet. But Pahlaj Nihalani, chairperson of the censorship body, has some good news for Kashyap.

“If a film is a period drama, if it is set during a time when Mumbai was called Bombay then we may consider retaining the old name for the city. However, in the contemporary context, ‘Bombay’ won’t be allowed at all,” Nihalani said.

One question that is disturbing the Mumbai film industry is, how far would the CBFC go in altering the city’s name in the popular arts to go by the name that Bombay got when the city’s name was officially changed to ‘Mumbai’ in 1995? Clearly, as far as the use of the word ‘Bombay’ is concerned, the CBFC is very clear on the issue.

“This is a state matter. The Maharashtra government officially changed the name of ‘Bombay’ to ‘Mumbai’ in 1995. And still, if filmmakers and song writers continue to use the unconstitutional name for the city, we’ve no choice but to delete it.

“The city is called Mumbai, not Bombay. People like Mihir Joshi who have probably grown up in the city should know this. Making films and writing songs are a social responsibility. You can’t change geography and history just to sound trendy,” Nihalani said.

The new Censor Board has cleared R Balki’s upcoming directorial venture but has demanded to cut off several scenes and cuss words…

Amitabh Bachchan, Dhanush and Akshara Haasan’s much-awaited film Shamitabh is releasing this week. Considering its coming together for two supremely talented actors, the buzz around the film is obviously immense. Also, R Balki directorial hasn’t court any sort of controversy till now which is good for the film. While everyone is looking forward to see Big B and Dhanush together on the big screen, Censor Board on the other hand has asked the makers to make quite a few changes in the film. Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has given Amitabh starrer U/A certificate but at the same time wants few scenes to be chopped from the film along with a lot abusive words.

While talking to a leading tabloid, a source said, “Some dialogues were peppered with abusive words such as m*******d and b*******d. So, the board’s examining committee has asked the makers to replace them with other words before issuing them a U/A certificate for the film.”

Also, the Censor committee has taken objection over three scenes. One of them has Ranjhanaa actor showing his middle finger. Though CBFC has asked several cuts, Balki isn’t upset with the same. He told the same tabloid, “We had a very good screening for the Censor Board and are happy with the U/A certificate.”

The ace filmmaker is getting death threats…

After Mahesh Bhatt was attacked and threatened by Mafia, the Mumbai crime branch has requested him to stay indoors till the threat ceases to exist. However, the iconic filmmaker has been leading from the front and has been very active in promoting his next release Khamoshiyan despite advice from the cops not to risk his life! He has got a security cover and two commando-trained policemen have been assigned to protect the filmmaker and is trailing his constantly.

Mahesh Bhatt says, “I’m promoting Khamoshiyan on the front foot. I can’t stop living because of this death threat. If I did that would mean that the terrorist has won.” Bhatt has already visited cities like Pune with the cast and has been promoting the film everyday by doing interviews etc. Khamoshiyan releases on January 30.

In an interview, Nihalani spoke of his thoughts on his new role, his past experience with the CBFC and his thoughts on Leela Samson’s recent resignation as the CBFC chairperson

As the new chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification, producer Pahlaj Nihalani says he will try to facilitate a healthy relationship with the film industry to “hold up a mirror to societal maladies and ensure that our society is free of undesirable values”.How did you react to the news of taking over from Leela Samson?

It came as a complete surprise to me. I had no clue I was being considered for the job. I had been busy with the wedding and reception of Shatruji’s (Shatrughan Sinha) son. They’re like family to me. So when the news came, I couldn’t really follow it up. I heard about the appointment through the media. Initially I had no official intimation from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. I finally got a call on Tuesday morning (Jan 20).

The job comes with a lot of controversy, what with Leela Samson’s abrupt resignation hovering over your head?

But wasn’t her tenure over? I wouldn’t like to comment on her conduct. As far as I am concerned, I’ve never shunned challenges. What is life without challenges? I’ve always worked for the welfare of the film industry. I see my new responsibility as the CBFC’s chairperson as an extension of the work that I was always doing.

It seems like a thankless job?

I don’t see the job as being as difficult as it is made out to be. I have my differences regarding a lot of these so-called difficulties that have been put forward by the earlier members of the CBFC.

Do you think the position of the CBFC chairperson has been politicised?

If you ask me, the Censor Board (during Leela Samson’s tenure) didn’t do its job the way they should’ve done it. When their tenure was over, they suddenly woke up to all these corruption charges. After their tenure was over, the outgoing members of the CBFC seem to have planned a malign campaign against the central government.

Are you saying they lied about political intervention?

What were they doing during all these years? Why didn’t they step down in protest against the supposed corruption when they were still in power? By raising a hue and cry when they were on the way out, they did wrong to themselves and to the CBFC.

In your opinion what should the earlier chairperson done?

Nothing was done to bridge the gap between the film industry and the Censor Board, in their perception of how far censorship must go, and why.

According to you, how far must the Censor Board go?

Look, according to me the film industry and the Censor Board have the same responsibility. They are both supposed to hold up a mirror to societal maladies and ensure that our society is free of undesirable values. If both cinema and the censor board are supposed to uphold the same values, then why should they be at loggerheads?

There have been a lot of corruption charges against the CBFC?

I don’t think there was any corruption in the CBFC. I am a producer. I was never demanded any money nor asked for a bribe to clear my movies. When I was dissatisfied with some censorial decisions about my films, I went to the revising committee and my film was cleared.

There are accusations of filmmakers paying to jump the queue to get their censor certificates?

I think it was the middlemen who benefited from these. Accountability is a problem. I, as the chairperson of the CBFC, will eliminate all the go-betweens that divide the film industry from the Censor Board. Right now I am still to find my bearings. Once I settle down in the post, I will take concrete steps to cement relations between the film industry and the Censor Board.

Your closing thoughts?

I don’t want to be critical of what the Censor Board did earlier. I want to start on a clean slate and ensure that a healthy and positive relationship exists between the film industry and the CBFC.

The actress is happy that the board has not ignored artists from the South

Actor-producer Jeevitha Rajasekar is excited about being chosen as one of the nine new members of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). She says the team won’t disappoint.“I’m delighted I’ve been chosen as one of the members. It’s a post that comes with great responsibility. I don’t want to comment on the ongoing controversies, but I’m sure the new board members won’t disappoint,” says Jeevitha. Besides Jeevitha, Tamil actor and former AIDMK legislator S.Ve Shekher has also been chosen from the south for the Censor Board, the new chairperson for which is filmmaker Pahlaj Nihalani.

“It’s good to have someone from the south in the board. I’m happy that we’ve not been ignored,” Jeevitha said. The other members appointed with immediate effect include Mihir Bhuta, Syed Abdul Bari, Ramesh Patange, George Baker, Chandra Prakash Dwivedi, Vani Tripathi Tikoo and Ashoke Pandit.

Asked about the clearance of controversial film MSG – Messenger of God, she said: “I haven’t watched the film yet. It would be unfair on my part to comment now.”

Corruption in the board was the main reason for Samson’s resignation

Leela Samson has resigned as chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), citing interference, coercion and corruption of panel members.It is absolutely true that I have resigned. (I resigned) Last night by SMS and today by email and hard copy letter,” says Samson via an SMS Friday morning. CBFC is a statutory body under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. It regulates the public exhibition of films under the provisions of the Cinematograph Act 1952.

Samson, an acclaimed Bharatnatyam dancer, was appointed its chair in 2011. Talking about the reason of her decision to quit, she said: “Interference, coercion and corruption of panel members and officers of the organisation who are appointed by the ministry and having to manage an organisation whose Board has not met for over nine months as the ministry had ‘no funds’ to permit the meeting of members.

“The term of all members and the chairperson is over. But, since the new government failed to appoint a new board and chairperson, a few were given extensions and asked to carry on till this procedure was completed. ”However, recent cases of interference in the working of the CBFC by the ministry, through an ‘additional charge’ CEO and corrupt panel members has caused a degradation of those values that the members of this Board of CBFC and chairperson stood for,” Samson added

]]>http://www.bollywoodlife.com/news/chairperson-of-the-central-board-of-film-certification-leela-samson-resigns/feed/0MSG: Messenger Of God NOT cleared by Censor Board to avoid law and order problems!http://www.bollywoodlife.com/news-gossip/msg-messenger-of-god-not-cleared-by-censor-board-to-avoid-law-and-order-problems/
http://www.bollywoodlife.com/news-gossip/msg-messenger-of-god-not-cleared-by-censor-board-to-avoid-law-and-order-problems/#commentsTue, 13 Jan 2015 09:43:14 +0000Prateek Surhttp://www.bollywoodlife.com/?p=435513

MSG: Messenger Of God has landed itself in another soup. The film, has got rejected by the Censor Board and therefore, might not release this Friday. Not that we are complaining, although we are a bit surprised at the reason stated by the Censor Board for rejecting the film a credible certificate.

The Censor Board thinks that the content of the film might cause law and order issues amidst the society. Looks like the Board is extra cautious after the recent hullabaloo over Aamir Khan’s PK, which caused an uproar in various Indian communities. The Censor Board might not want a repeat telecast of the same with MSG: Messenger Of God. However, there is a bit of respite for the film’s maker, Saint Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Ji Insan.

The makers have been asked to appeal to the appellate tribunal of the Central Board Of Film Certification and if they clear the film, then there won’t be any issues and the Censor Board will give the film a credible certification. Nandini Sardesai, a member of the revising committee (RC), said while speaking to a leading daily, “We have referred the film to the tribunal as we felt the film may cause law and order problems. It also promotes superstition and blind faith.” The committee also felt that the film would hurt religious sentiments, and took umbrage to the title of the film. Sardesai added, “There is an unscientific attitude that reflects in the film. Besides, there are times when he calls himself God, which is highly objectionable.” It should be recalled that the examining committee of the Censor Board had rejected the film, claiming that the baba was promoting himself as God and performing miracles without substantiation. An examining committee member had said, “Singh has shown himself as God and the film looks like more of an advertisement. Besides, some scenes show miracles taking place, which are not substantiated by logic.”

The film stars Saint Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Ji Insan, the head of Dera Sacha Sauda, a socio-spiritual organisation. He is also the writer and co-director of the film. Keep reading this space for more information about the film.

The ace filmmaker opens up about the certification of his latest venture…

Mahesh Bhatt’s supernatural erotica Khamoshiyan has got an adult certification from the censor board. The film starring TV’s heartthrob Gurmeet Choudhary, Sapna Pabbi and Ali Fazal has abundant steamy and bold scenes between Gurmeet and Sapna and Ali and Sapna respectively and the Mahesh Bhatt is pleased with the A certification. None of the adult content scenes have been asked to be cut by the censor board.

Mahesh Bhatt confirms saying, “The censor board has come of age. We welcome this decision. Khamoshiyan is an erotic supernatural film and we did not want to tame the product at all. That would not be fair to audiences. It is a bold, adult film and we are very happy with the certification.”

The producer talks about the bold scenes in the film

Supernatural erotica Khamoshiyanhas been given an ‘A’ certificate by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and Mahesh Bhatt, the film’s producer, is pleased.The movie, which has abundant steamy and bold scenes, has been produced by Mahesh and Mukesh Bhatt under their Vishesh Films banner. Lauding the decision, Mahesh said in a statement: “The censor board has come of age. We welcome this decision. Khamoshiyan is an erotic supernatural film and we did not want to tame the product at all.

“That would not be fair to audiences. It is a bold, adult film and we are very happy with the certification.” Starring Gurmeet Choudhary, Sapna Pabbi and Ali Fazal, the movie will release Jan 30.